How to create shortcuts to application on the desktop on Linux Mint 18 or up?

I want to create a shortcut to my program on the desktop on Linux Mint 18, but I simply can't find any ways to do this.

ThN

Posted 2017-06-16T13:03:37.013

Reputation: 827

Answers

There are multiple ways to do this:

Method 1 (directories)

Go to the folder you want, right Click and select Make Link, then drag and drop it on the Desktop

Method 2

Find your application through the Linux Mint menu, right Click and press Add to Desktop

Method 3

Right click on the Desktop and press Create Launcher

The pop up window will ask you to either enter a terminal command that will launch it, or browse through the directories.

Method 4

Create a symlink

Note: To successfully create a symlink you have to provide the full path, otherwise you could get a broken link. Generally a symlink syntax is ln -s SOURCE DESTINATION.

You do not need to specify a filename in the DESTINATION, just where you need to place it

Jimmy_A

Posted 2017-06-16T13:03:37.013

Reputation: 972

Or, even easier, just hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift and drag and drop your file/executable.

Unless they changed that from 17.3 to 18.x, but doubt it.

zerox

Posted 2017-06-16T13:03:37.013

Reputation: 81

According to here: https://www.faqforge.com/linux/create-shortcuts-in-linux-symbolic-links/ you only need Ctrl+Shift, which worked for me on 19.1

– Andrew – 2019-03-23T15:22:38.783

Upvoted! It is still there in Linux mint 19. – Shivam – 2019-07-23T06:53:49.137

Launch Nautilus (the file manager).
In Nautilus, click on Computer.
From there, navigate to /usr/share/applications.
Find the icon of the program you want a shortcut for, click on it, and type Ctrl+C to copy.
In Nautilus, click on Desktop in the left pane.
Type Ctrl+V to copy the shortcut to the desktop.
Right-click your new shortcut, click Properties, click on the Permissions tab, and make sure that the Allow executing file as program box is ticked.
X out of the Properties dialog and also out of Nautilus.

Enjoy your new desktop shortcut!

MrGrimm

Posted 2017-06-16T13:03:37.013

Reputation: 11

1Welcome to Super User. If you have a new question, please post a new question, referencing this one as necessary. I have edited your answer to remove the "question" portion. Only answers are allowed in the answer box. Also, please cite a source for your answer if it is someone else's work. – I say Reinstate Monica – 2018-11-09T16:08:02.950

you should of moved it then and pm'ed me as to why. NOT edited to remove whe issue i came here about. – MrGrimm – 2018-11-09T16:27:23.123

No offense intended. I cannot post a question on your behalf. You may roll back my edit if you wish but then you'll need to fix it yourself as the answer can't remain in it's original form. – I say Reinstate Monica – 2018-11-09T16:44:57.013

from https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=237708

In the file manager (Nemo) open the View menu > Extra Pane. Open the Desktop folder in one pane, and the source folder in the other pane. Click on the folder or file you want to symlink. Hold down SHIFT-CTRL and drag the folder to the other pane. A symlink will be magically created.

Tom Berghuis

Posted 2017-06-16T13:03:37.013

Reputation: 111